Tumorous calcinosis: a disease of its own?

Tumorous calcinosis has been considered as a disease of its own. A survey of the literature shows that only its clinical and radiological appearances are universally agreed upon, while its epidemiology and etiology are still under discussion. A genetic disorder, recurrent soft-tissue microtrauma and terminal renal failure have been put forward as causes. All of them may lead to a localized or generalized disturbance of the calcium-phosphate metabolism, which in turn could produce tumorous calcinosis. Therefore, tumorous calcinosis should be regarded as a rare manifestation of a metabolic disorder rather than a disease of own.